Other Resources
- BISG Metadata Best Practices - A report from the Book Industry Study Group on the core metadata elements necessary for successful bookselling.
- BISAC codes for book classification - What's your book about? Using BISAC subject categories helps define your book's topics, and levels the playing field in keyword search.
- Writer Beware - while sponsored by the SFWA and the MWA, Writer Beware is a genre-independent website offering advice, recommendations, and warnings for authors.
- Bibliocrunch - a concierge service that connects authors with publishing professionals who can help, such as cover designers, editors, app designers, etc.
- Book Country - Are you a genre fiction writer? Book Country is your community!
- Absolute Write - A website devoted to writing and publishing, with extremely helpful forums.
- Self Publishing Podcast - A podcast run by three self-published authors, covering all aspects of getting your book written, packaged, and sold.
- IndieReader Publishing Services - IndieReader has been a resource for consumers looking for fine self-published books since 2007. With a team of professionals - editors, cover designers, printers and publicists - IndieReader offers Publishing Services to assist authors who want to retain control of their work and independently publish, in both paper and digital formats.
Ebook distribution platforms
Pay-as-you-go solutions:
- Draft2Digital.Established in 2012 in Oklahoma City, Draft2Digital provides distribution to all the major bookstores except Google Play, plus a selection of smaller outlets. It’s favored for its ebook conversion tools and support.
- Lulu. - Primarily focused on printed books, Lulu also started distributing eBooks in 2009. They distribute eBooks to Amazon Kindle Store, Apple iBookstore and Kobo books. Royalties are paid either by check or PayPal. It can difficult to find their exact revenue share beforehand.
- PublishDrive. Based in Hungary, PublishDrive offers distribution to around 30 outlets that will get your books on hundreds of online libraries and bookstores, including Google Play. They are appreciated for their international vision and reach.
- Smashwords.US born and based, Smashwords is the oldest American distribution platform, distributing to big and small outlets, mainly in the US. They don’t distribute to Amazon or Google Play. Smashwords has years of experience and hundreds of thousands of books published making them a valuable solution, although their platform isn’t considered the best in terms of user experience.
- StreetLib. Born in Italy (two years before Smashwords) and now also based in the USA, this ebook distributor reaches all the main booksellers, including Google Play and Amazon, as well as hundreds of local stores, subscription services and libraries on every continent, via up to 50 different outlets. StreetLib is favored for its high-quality online book editor, integrated paperbook distribution, as well as its direct-sales options for authors and publishers.
The standard business model for pay-as-you-go solutions is a 10% fee on the list price of the books you sell. Each platform has its own reporting system and payment options, delays, conditions, etc.
Pay upfront solution:
- BookBaby. Among other services, BookBaby offers a $249 ebook distribution package, getting your eBooks to 50+ retailers via over a dozen partners including Amazon (and Amazon Select).
Other services offer ebook distribution packages, but often not as their first line of business. Pay-upfront services usually implies you’ll get 100% of your royalties (after the retailer’s cut is deducted) and after purchasing the distribution package.
Going direct:
Amazon and Kobo particularly, as well as some other retailers, have proprietary publishing platforms where you can publish your eBooks and – in most cases – earn more royalties when selling in their store. However, this means you will have to manage updates, schedules, reports and payments separately for each store.
